Port Macquarie Archives - Destination's Journey

4 March 202315 February 2023

Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie

Located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia, Port Macquarie is a favourite tourist destination. Not only does it have beautiful beaches and rainforests, but is the Koala Capital of Australia. Not only these things and convict history, but if you get bored you can pick your own tomatoes or strawberries.

Below is a list of place we visited and things we did with links on this page. Should you want a more in depth story, links are provided further down the page.

Beaches

One of the great attractions to Port Macquarie is the amazing beaches. Surrounded by wonderful sandy beaches, there are plenty to choose from, whether you want ones close to town or more privacy a small drive away.

Flynns Beach

Oxley Beach

Rocky Beach Lookout

Shelly Beach

Town Beach

Glass House Art and Visitor Centre

Housing the Port Macquarie Theatre, Regional Art Gallery and Visitor Information Centre, the Glasshouse Arts and Visitor Centre is a great place to visit, because not only does it have these things, but there are ruins in the basement!

The full story can be read here.

Connecting with Country by Sonia Shields and Where are we Now by Katrina Mane

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

Located all over Port Macquarie and its surrounding districts on the NSW mid-north coast, The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is a fun way to find your way around town. Many businesses and attractions have sponsored one or more of the sculptures making it an interesting way to explore the area and as a bonus finding lots of them.

The full story can be read here.

Koala Hospital

Established in 1973 and dedicated to the to rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild koalas, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital also helps visitor learn about this unique Australian animal.

The full story can be read here.

Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum

Preserving Port Macquarie’s maritime history, the Mid-North Coast Maritime Museum occupies two old Pilot Cottages dating from the 1890s. Originally used to house the pilot and the boatmen who assisted him but now repurposed into a museum.

The full story can be read here.

Diving Helmet Port Macquarie — Diving Helmet

Port Macquarie Breakwall

This is a fun area near the town centre and next to Town Beach. The rocks of the break wall have been decorated by past visitors to make a colourful display along the beach.

Port Macquarie Museum

Located in the centre of town, the Port Macquarie Museum preserves the area’s history from colonial settlement and its dependance on the timber industry to the tourist destination it is today.

The full story can be read here.

Port Macquarie Museum displays designed to look like shop fronts — Museum displays designed to look like shop fronts

Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries

A favourite with locals and tourists, Port Macquarie’s Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries is a fun place to pick your own fresh produce. Located only 20 minutes from the Port Macquarie CBD on the New South Wales mid-north coast, it’s a must-see place for visitors.

The full story can be read here.

Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk

Taking you through the rainforest canopy, the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk is a 1.3km loop that starts and ends at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre.

The full story can be read here.

Tacking Point Lighthouse

Designed by James Barnett and built in 1879, Tacking Point Lighthouse is the thirteenth oldest lighthouse in Australia. With its own small carpark and located only 9km from Port Macquarie, it’s easy to get to.

The full story can be read here.

Our photos are available for purchase on

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

16 February 202310 February 2023

Glasshouse Port Macquarie Arts and Visitor Centre

Glasshouse Arts and Visitor Centre Port Macquarie

If you want to find out what to see and do, or find accommodation, this is the place to go. The staff are super friendly and helpful and do their best to help you out.

In the basement, original foundations from the previous building in the area have been preserved. Other artifacts found during excavation are also on display.

Displayed in the foyer are PK Sparkles and Lady Lola the Dancing Koala from the Hello Koala Sculpture Trail. If you’re following the trail to see the koalas you get to see two in one location.

Behind the koalas the Regional Art Gallery had some interesting artworks on display. They feature a range of contemporary, indigenous, historical, traditional, design and sculptural artworks. During the course of the year, they rotate up to 20 exhibitions through the gallery, including touring exhibitions.

Koala statue Glasshouse Arts and Visitor Centre Port Macquarie — PK Sparkles

2 February 202325 January 2023

Port Macquarie Museum

Museum displays designed to look like shop fronts

Port Macquarie Museum

Located in the centre of town, the Port Macquarie Museum preserves the area’s history from colonial settlement and its dependance on the timber industry to the tourist destination it is today.

Parking is available on street, or you can walk there from your accommodation, depending where you are staying.

The Museum

Divided into eight themed rooms and galleries the museum is well laid out and curated with many interesting exhibits. The room detailing Port Macquarie’s convict past has a full size display of a man receiving the lash as punishment for a misdemeanor. Somewhat graphic, it does show how brutal Australia’s past was.

An interesting room called the Street of Shops displays artifact collections as if they were is a window display. The entire room is setup to look like a street with shop windows. Each window has its own themed display from timepieces to a dentist’s surgery.

Port Macquarie’s past relied heavily on the timber industry; particularly cedar which grew locally. A large room shows how the timber was processed and what it was used for. Unfortunately, the harvesting of so much cedar means it is now a rare tree to find in the wild.

This was an interesting museum to visit and learn more about the local history.